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BBC's Johnston shown in tape wearing explosives
Yahoo! Inc ^ | Sunday, June 24 08:35 pm | Reuters

Posted on 06/24/2007 4:48:08 PM PDT by restornu

Haniyeh, prime minister of the Hamas-led government sacked by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah, disclosed the video of Johnston in his first major speech since Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip just over a week ago.

"In the past they showed him in an orange uniform. Today they showed him with an explosives belt round his waist," Haniyeh said.

A Palestinian source close to the negotiations confirmed the existence of a new tape showing Johnston wearing an explosives belt. The tape has not been aired publicly but the contents were shared with Haniyeh.

Johnston, 45, went missing in Gaza on March 12 and is believed to be being held by the Army of Islam, a little known group that appears to draw inspiration from al Qaeda but also seems to be linked to violent clan rivalries among Gaza's 1.5 million people.

The only other known video of Johnston, released on June 1, showed him wearing a baggy red sweater. He said in that tape that he was in good health and being treated well.

Hamas officials in the Gaza Strip said they were pressing the kidnappers to free Johnston.

"We will not allow the continuation of the abduction of the British journalist. The issue of Alan Johnston must end," Haniyeh said on Sunday.

Haniyeh said his government has not used force to free Johnston at the request of the British government, fearing he might be killed or injured in the process.

The Army of Islam has demanded that Britain free Muslim prisoners, particularly Islamist cleric Abu Qatada. A man identified as a spokesman for the group recently told Al Jazeera television that it might kill the journalist.

The Scotsman is the only Western correspondent based full-time in the Gaza Strip, where a year-old economic embargo and fighting among militants have worsened living conditions.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: alanjohnston; amightyheart; bbc; bbcjournalist; forcedsuicidebomb; hostages
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1 posted on 06/24/2007 4:48:09 PM PDT by restornu
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Drudge Report

KIDNAPPED JOURNALIST ‘FORCED TO WEAR SUICIDE BOMB BELT’...


2 posted on 06/24/2007 4:50:30 PM PDT by restornu (Whatever time we have is being paid for with our life!)
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To: restornu
Jimmy Carter:

"This is the fault of the US and the EU! If we had accepted Hamas as the legitimately elected representatives of the Palestinian people, and funded them accordingly, this would never have happned. It's because Israel is an apartheid state!

Now, where's my binkie?"

3 posted on 06/24/2007 4:53:25 PM PDT by sofaman ("There will only be peace in Israel when the Arabs love their children more than they hate the Jews")
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To: sofaman

4 posted on 06/24/2007 5:07:18 PM PDT by Bahbah
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To: Admin Moderator

Could you please add this some how to title

(BBC FORCED TO WEAR BOMB)

Thank you


5 posted on 06/24/2007 5:10:17 PM PDT by restornu (Whatever time we have is being paid for with our life!)
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To: Bahbah

Huh?


6 posted on 06/24/2007 5:11:14 PM PDT by restornu (Whatever time we have is being paid for with our life!)
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To: restornu

He worked for the BBC. This could well mean he volunteered to wear the belt out of a sense of solidarity with his captors. [I wish I were kidding)


7 posted on 06/24/2007 5:12:41 PM PDT by rbg81 (DRAIN THE SWAMP!!)
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The terrorists really ARE unhinged. The BBC is on their side! Are they too dumb to notice? Or is all a put up job, ala the Italian Communist “reporter” “captured” by terrorists in Iraq.


8 posted on 06/24/2007 5:14:10 PM PDT by Godwin1
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To: restornu; sofaman

LOL. sofaman wanted his binkie.


9 posted on 06/24/2007 5:14:31 PM PDT by Bahbah
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To: restornu
Hamas officials in the Gaza Strip said they were pressing the kidnappers to free Johnston.

Sounds like Hamas is attempting to position themselves as the potential "rescuers" of a kidnapped journalist from the clutches of a rogue terrorist organization. Hmmm . . . how does a terrorist state deal with unauthorized terrorists?
10 posted on 06/24/2007 5:17:37 PM PDT by rightwingintelligentsia (Scratch a RINO, and you'll find a global elitist beneath the surface.)
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To: restornu
Now, keep in mind that these are the people - Hamas - whom Jimmy Carter is keen to give aid to. He says our failure, the US’s, to give them support is criminal. Jimmy Carter remains a hero in the Democratic Party. In fact, it is the Carter wing of that party that is so eager for an al Qaeda/Iranian victory in Iraq.
11 posted on 06/24/2007 5:29:59 PM PDT by elhombrelibre
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To: rbg81

Sadly I agree England does have sick English men too...


12 posted on 06/24/2007 5:54:23 PM PDT by restornu (Whatever time we have is being paid for with our life!)
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To: rbg81

From Wikipedia, showing you may not be far off:

Mustafa Barghouti, Palestinian Information Minister, has described Johnston as a “friend of our people”, and said that Johnston “has done a lot for our cause.”[8] Imprisoned Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti has also called Johnston a “friend of the Palestinian people”


13 posted on 06/24/2007 6:11:49 PM PDT by JewishRighter
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To: restornu

Will they let him wear a red coat with that?


14 posted on 06/24/2007 6:49:17 PM PDT by familyop (Duncan Hunter for President!)
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To: familyop; sofaman; rightwingintelligentsia

Army of Islam Video of Abducted BBC Journalist Alan Johnston

VIDEO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lmAtazuadY


15 posted on 06/24/2007 7:37:02 PM PDT by restornu (Whatever time we have is being paid for with our life!)
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To: Admin Moderator

Could you please add VIDEO this some how to title


16 posted on 06/24/2007 7:38:27 PM PDT by restornu (Whatever time we have is being paid for with our life!)
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To: familyop; sofaman; rightwingintelligentsia

Hoastage journalist in a video released by his captors
VIDEO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aDGtuhUwno&NR=1


17 posted on 06/24/2007 7:40:34 PM PDT by restornu (Whatever time we have is being paid for with our life!)
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To: Godwin1; rbg81

There may be some who claim to be on the terrorists side, and even more who by their actions are actually on the terrorists side whether they say or even think otherwise.

But terrorists are on no ones side but their own.


18 posted on 06/25/2007 3:15:56 AM PDT by Vanders9
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

“Hmmm . . . how does a terrorist state deal with unauthorized terrorists?”

I’m not sure, but I bet it’s to the tune of “Deguello.” (Or maybe I just hope so...)


19 posted on 06/25/2007 7:35:39 AM PDT by Old Student (We have a name for the people who think indiscriminate killing is fine. They're called "The Bad Guys)
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To: restornu

Get up close and personal with A Mighty Heart. Pakistan is not to be believed.


20 posted on 06/25/2007 8:57:26 AM PDT by sarasota
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